The Best Way to Freeze the Top of Your Wedding Cake

By
Libby MacCarthy

If you’re a bride or groom who abides by tradition, you’re probably already looking forward to enjoying another bite of your wedding cake on your first anniversary. But you’re going to need an airtight strategy (literally) to make that cake last in the freezer. Here’s exactly what to do after your caterer hands you the top tier at the end of the night.

First, know your cake — and set your expectations.Freezing your cake for a whole year, then expecting it to taste the same as it did on your wedding day is a tall order. A frost-free freezer (which has a defrosting mechanism to prevent icy buildup) can dry the cake out.

But some cakes will fare worse than others: A delicate cake (like angel food cake) is more likely to become stale during freezing, and certain fillings (like custards or fresh fruit) might not maintain their original texture indefinitely. Heartier cakes (like chocolate, carrot, hazelnut and almond) will stand up better to a year in the chill.

Pre-freeze it.Before you wrap it in anything, immediately place your cake in the freezer until the icing hardens. And if it's decorated with sugar flowers or any other adornments, it’s best to remove them now, lest they get in the way of the freezing process.

Wrap it up.Next, remove your cake from the freezer and loosely wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap (now that the icing is frozen, it won’t stick to the plastic). Don’t use aluminum foil — it could lead to freezer burn.

Seal it.If you’re storing your cake in a box, wrap the box in several layers of plastic wrap for the best chance of preserving the cake's taste and texture. Or better yet, place the cake in an airtight container. Pop it back into the freezer — and maybe mark it with a ribbon or label so you don’t accidentally throw it out over the course of the year!

Eat up!
When your first anniversary draws near, take the cake out of the freezer, remove the wrapping, then allow the cake to thaw for 24 to 48 hours in the refrigerator. Before serving, give the cake time (2 to 3 hours) to come to room temperature.

Or, just forget freezing and order a replica.
Concerned your wedding cake won’t hack it in the freezer? Have your bakery create a copycat cake for your anniversary — the dessert will be fresh and sweet, and it will still bring back fond memories of your big day.